Just Friends

Taking Charge

When I got to work I noticed everybody was outside. That means one thing, Mariah is not here.

"Hey, what's going on?" I asked one of my co-workers.

"I don't know, but I'm bout to take my ass home. I been out here for an hour." she yelled.

"An hour? I been here since 5' o'clock!" Another co-worker yelled, Then the other two workers started bickering. I didn't really have nothing to say since I'm one of the only ones who gets to come to work at 9:00. I just choose to show up early to help Mariah out. I decided to go back to my car since they continued to complain. I turn it on and listened to the radio until I saw Mariah come.

It was almost 10 o'clock and Mariah still didn't show up. Only two co-workers were left, I didn't notice the other two left, so I decided to call Mariah to see what was going on.

"H- Hello?" She stuttured.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Trinity, my son was shot last night....he was running around with them fucking friends of his and got shot." She said as her voice started to crack. Mariah son was 20 years old. He use to work here at Best Buy, but decided he wanted to work some place without his mom hovering him all the time. Then after that he moved to Birmingham and started doing some illegal stuff. He was arrested a few days before Christmas because he was caught with a gun, now he got himself shot.

""I'm so sorry, is he okay?"

"Yeah, but he has to go through surgery today to get the bullet out. They said it was real close to his heart....and I had to drive all the way to Birmingham last night for them to tell me that shit.Had me all worried that my son would die...but anyway I know you called about work. How many people showed up?" She asked in a serious tone.

"Well, when I got here Bobbi, Shay, Marko and Ness were here...but Bobbi and Ness left."

"The fuck? Why did Ness leave? She is the assissant manager...you know what. She gonna end up without a job if a few more days." She yelled "Wait...are you, Shay and Marko the only ones there right now?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Dammit....listen Trinity, I'ma need you to be manager for the day."

"Wait what? Me....be the manager....for the day?" I was beyond confused.

"Yes girl, you the only experienced worker I got right now. Plus you remind me of the myself when I started working at Best Buy...including the bitchy attitude." she said. We both laughed. Mariah been working for Best Buy for 10 years and when I started working here it was her second year being manager, but for a 48 year old she can relate to the younger people more than the older ones. I don't know why.

"Alright, but they're not gonna believe me when I tell them I'm in charge."

"Oh trust me they will. I'ma set up a meeting and send it to them and you can annouce it there."

"What if Ness comes back?" I asked as I got out of my car.

"If she comes back....tell her that when I come back I will be having a meeting with her." she said with an evil laugh.

"Alright...what about the keys?"

"Go next door to Old Navy, and ask Mr. Rockers for the keys....matter of fact I'ma call him and tell him you coming over right now.Good luck today Trinity.....and remember to act like yourself. Including your little attitude okay?"

"Yes ma'am. I'll pray for Grant and tell him Trinity said hey." I said as she said bye and hung up. Was I really ready to be in charge. I mean I always wanted to be the person everyone takes orders from and comes to, but I wasn't expecting it to happen anytime soon. Let's see how this goes though.